Flares - It's that time of year again...

[Four Suns]

I'm going through my ditch bag checklist and a bunch of my items are coming up on expiration.

When it comes to visual distress signals, the USCG (as well every state I've seen which usually defers to the USCG rules) are just not adequate. In fact, I would go as far as saying they are pretty much a joke. The only visual distress signal a boat is required to carry is an orange flag with a square and round black dot on it.

If you do carry pyrotechnics, then they have regulations on the number but you are not required to carry any... i.e. you can't just carry "one"... sorta like potato chips...

I've used the Offshore Racing Council (ORC) recommendations for the flares/pyrotechnics. Even though this is a "sailing" organization, they have put some thought into what you should carry based on where you boat. The USCG and the states don't care if you are on an inland river or 30 miles off shore and give you the same "rules." The ORC has 5 categories (category 0 through category 4) which range from ocean crossings (cat 0) to inland lakes and bays (cat 4). It is also based on SOLAS flares. Here's a shot of my soon to expire SOLAS handheld and parachute flares:

These things are much better quality than the toy flares sold by Orion...

In looking to order a set of replacements, I noticed that Landfall Navigation ( http://www.landfallnavigation.com ) now sells flare sets by category...

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/solassets.html

I actually carry cat 2/cat 3 (they are the same) on our boat. It's for coastal cruising and large bays...

Anyway, this is a much better set of "rules" to follow than the USCG or state requirements and it exceeds anything they put out.... Of course you can just carry a flag and explain to your wife when your boat sinks how much money you saved.

Just an FYI...

 

[Bridog]

I wonder how many boaters would even know what that flag means.

 

[FYN409]

While on the subject of flares, what do most of you do to dispose of your expired flares?

 

[Four Suns]

While on the subject of flares, what do most of you do to dispose of your expired flares?

We actually fire them off. It's great practice for myself, the wife and kids to learn how to use these things and know what to expect before an emergency starts. You should not be firing off the flying variety (12g gun, parachutes) but the handhelds are great to practice with in the back yard. It's amazing the molten stuff that drips off the things.

 

[fwebster]

At last.........a real boating issue amongst the topics on blow up sex toys, well endowed weather men!

Many don't give distress signals a thought past the minimum requirements. Thanks Gary, for asking us to think past the minimums and outside our normal comfort zone.

 

[Four Suns]

I should also mention that I do carry an Orion flare gun on top of the ORC cat2/cat3 flare set. I have about a dozen of the 12g HP flares for the gun as well...

 

[MaddyDean]

No Idea what that flag means--cannot find it on Maritime Flags google search.

In regards to the flares; old from the boat go into the car, old from the car get used to start bonfires.

The flare gun--i give to our local fire department.

 

[Dave S]

The USCG and the states don't care if you are on an inland river or 30 miles off shore and give you the same "rules."

Gary

While the USCG does not have a presence on our small inland lake there are probably 6 different sets of "authorities" (County Sheriffs, Charlotte Police and North and South Carolina DNR officers that patrol the whole lake. On our lake the shoreline is always very close and always visible. I have been boarded twice and not once was I asked if I carry a distress flag or flares (I carry neither because of the lake's size) Their main concern is always life preservers, safety cushions, number of people on board, and an adequate fire extinguisher. In fact if someone set off flares I wonder if anyone would even react. I guess if I felt flares would add to our safety, I would carry them. What are your thoughts on this?

Dave

 

[MaddyDean]

At last.........a real boating issue amongst the topics on blow up sex toys, well endowed weather men!

Many don't give distress signals a thought past the minimum requirements. Thanks Gary, for asking us to think past the minimums and outside our normal comfort zone.

I agree, only 46 more days to spring and t is refreshing to see this type of post. although I do like the other typ of posts as well.

 

[Four Suns]

No Idea what that flag means--cannot find it on Maritime Flags google search.

It's a standard distress flag. It's covered in just about every boating safety book, Chapmans, state boating rule pamphlets, etc. Search google for "visual distress flag." This is the USCG statement:

DISTRESS SIGNAL FOR BOATS, ORANGE FLAG

APPROVAL CATEGORY: 160.072
APPROVAL GUIDANCE & INFORMATION: An orange flag with black square above a black circle. The flag is at least 90 cm x 90 cm (3 ft x 3 ft), with grommets at each corner to allow it to be hung or flown. Other arrangements have also been accepted in kite or balloon form, but all have the orange and black square and circle form. The material is tested for weathering resistance and durability. The square and circle form is intended to simulate a cylinder-over-sphere dayshape, indicating distress. Distress flags are self-certified by the manufacturer. The Coast Guard does not issue approvals or keep an authenticated list of manufacturers.

Gary

While the USCG does not have a presence on our small inland lake there are probably 6 different sets of "authorities" (County Sheriffs, Charlotte Police and North and South Carolina DNR officers that patrol the whole lake. On our lake the shoreline is always very close and always visible. I have been boarded twice and not once was I asked if I carry a distress flag or flares (I carry neither because of the lake's size) Their main concern is always life preservers, safety cushions, number of people on board, and an adequate fire extinguisher. In fact if someone set off flares I wonder if anyone would even react. I guess if I felt flares would add to our safety, I would carry them. What are your thoughts on this?

Dave

I can't really say what your state's regulations are for non-navigable waterways (inland lakes). Personally, I would carry a set of smoke signals and hand held flares anyway... (shooting stuff in the air is probably pointless). That's what the ORC Category 4 guidelines are for... Those can get attention no mater what people know they mean.

 

[douglee25]

Good post Gary. A lot of people probably are not aware of that info.

Doug

 

[chuck1]

....... I guess if I felt flares would add to our safety, I would carry them. What are your thoughts on this?

Dave,
Even though I do most of my boating on inland waterways I carry both kinds. (Hand held & 12G)
Chuck

 

[Four Suns]

The flare guns that orion sells do not fire that high in the air. I've fired them off in my back yard just to play with them (I'm inland and have enough land so no one could see them).

As a side note, my wife won't let me fire the 12g flares anymore because I've used up all the fire extinguishers in the house...

 

[MaddyDean]

It's a standard distress flag. It's covered in just about every boating safety book, Chapmans, state boating rule pamphlets, etc. Search google for "visual distress flag." This is the USCG statement:

DISTRESS SIGNAL FOR BOATS, ORANGE FLAG

APPROVAL CATEGORY: 160.072
APPROVAL GUIDANCE & INFORMATION: An orange flag with black square above a black circle. The flag is at least 90 cm x 90 cm (3 ft x 3 ft), with grommets at each corner to allow it to be hung or flown. Other arrangements have also been accepted in kite or balloon form, but all have the orange and black square and circle form. The material is tested for weathering resistance and durability. The square and circle form is intended to simulate a cylinder-over-sphere dayshape, indicating distress. Distress flags are self-certified by the manufacturer. The Coast Guard does not issue approvals or keep an authenticated list of manufacturers.

Thanks, I have an orange distress flag still wrapped up in cellophane that came with my first boat and Coast Guard kit. I will unwrap it to see if it has those symbols.

I guess it is a good thing I never had to unwrap it.

 

[billandamy]

I agree, only 46 more days to spring and t is refreshing to see this type of post. although I do like the other typ of posts as well.

Link to blow up sex toys, please:grin:

 

[Pietro]

I wonder why there is not an international rule for safety devices on board...anyway, for your information and consolation, that's what I'm carrying for over 50 nm off shore navigation....

Flare kit:

and: Rescue Raft for 10, Lifejackets for 10, One Life Belt with 90' floating line, One floating buoy with light tied to a 90' floating line, Charts, Rules and Divider, Compass, GPS, Horn, Fog Bell, Radar Reflector, Binoculars, VHF...and an EPIRB :smt013 :smt017 :smt021 :huh:

 

[jpk33]

While on the subject of flares, what do most of you do to dispose of your expired flares?

Usually fire them at pirates and annoying PWC operators. It is a very good idea to fire your expired ones once in a while Like Gary said - firing a aerial warning device that could possibily light your boat on fire or dropping it because it made a loud noise could turn a bad situation worse!

 

[MaddyDean]

Link to blow up sex toys, please:grin:

:smt043:smt043:smt043That was good

 

[comsnark]

Just curious. . .

. . .has anyone on this board had to use this stuff?

I would be interested in your experience. I would imagine most would now use these things in conjunction with radio/cell phone; as in "Which boat are you?" "Here. . .let me fire off a flare".

I would imagine that for those going off shore, two high powered radios (main plus backup) would also be prudent.

My currently active safety gear is also in original packaging. I figure it keeps the stuff better over time. It also discourages people from messing with it. And yes. . .I always have a knife onboard so I can open the packaging. . . .

 

[katricol]

So Gary...you are holding the distress flag wrong!! The way you are holding it means "go away don't need help" lol JOKE people. Seriously tho good post. I plan on getting solas flares also.